UI scientists seek marijuana smokers for pot study

[Prophet Saddam]

WHO TV - Des Moines: UI scientists seek marijuana smokers for pot study

UI scientists seek marijuana smokers for pot study

Associated Press - April 12, 2008 3:04 PM ET

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - A group of University of Iowa scientists is looking for marijuana smokers to help gain insight into the drug's effects. And they plan to pay subjects as much as $600 to smoke their pot.

The study examines how marijuana affects brain function and cognition, with particular attention to the duration of use and the age of first use. The measure is brain imaging studies and achievement tests, such as for math and verbal skills.

Robert Block is an associate professor in the school's Department of Anesthesia and the lead investigator on the project. He says the group is looking for pot users and control subjects who consume alcohol and tobacco - but not marijuana - to participate in the study.

Subjects receive $20 for an initial screening session. Those that participate fully pocket $600.

Block said that, depending on the results, the study might ultimately be used to support political positions on marijuana. Those could include whether there should be harsher criminal penalties, whether it should be decriminalized, or whether it should be allowed for medicinal purposes.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Roach]

Depending on whom is financing the study ,I wish them luck.

[Mafoo]

Roach is right, just cus its a study doesnt mean its going to show mj in a positive light..

[Pharm Girl]

He says the group is looking for pot users and control subjects who consume alcohol and tobacco - but not marijuana - to participate in the study.

In other words, the pot smoker must quit?

[NorcalCarl]

No those are people for the control group. A control group is something for the scientist to compare their results to. A study with no control group is useless.